Everyone knows that a healthy diet will help steer you clear from disease. Many scientists agree that disease progresses faster and is potentially more severe in people with poor nutrition. But one thing everyone has to be aware of, however, is that healthy diet is often equal to acidic diet. And that’s not good for your teeth.
Salads with vinaigrettes, citrus water, fruit, pickled and fermented foods all lower the oral pH and increase the risk of dental erosion (tooth wear from acidity). Additionally, cavity causing bacteria love acidic environments, which also increases your risk for cavities.
So what should you do? Stop eating these healthy and delicious foods? Absolutely not!
Here are a few tips to make sure you get all of your healthy nutrition without damaging your teeth:
- Avoid sipping acidic drinks for hours. This maintains that damaging low oral pH for extended periods and increases risk for cavities and erosion.
- Avoid brushing your teeth for at least 1 hour after eating or drinking something acidic. The acid in your mouth has temporarily softened your enamel. If you brush immediately after, your are removing a thin layer of tooth. Instead, rinse your mouth with water after the acidic intake. Even better, you can add a teaspoon of calcium carbonate or baking soda to your water and swish to bring your oral pH back up even faster. Alternatively, if dairy is included in your diet, you can eat cheese or sugar-free yogurt. The calcium in these foods will also help bring the oral pH back to a neutral level.
- Chew sugar-free gum. If none of the above are possible after an acidic intake, chewing on a xylitol-based chewing gum or lozenge will help stimulate saliva, which is also a buffer to neutralize acidity. Additionally, chewing gum is proven to reduce acid reflux after a meal.
As a wellness dentist, I’m definitely in favour of my patients using nutrition to help maintain healthy bodies and mouths. When it comes to acidic foods, all you need to stay on the right track is to give your teeth a little bit of neutralizing TLC!
About The Author
Dr. Jacqueline Gaudet
Chief Dental Officer - ASAP pathway comprehensive provider
Dr. Gaudet graduated as a doctor of medicine in dentistry (DMD) from the University of Montréal in 1998. Since then, she has spent thousands of hours on advanced training throughout Canada and around the world.
With experience, she has found that the “drill and fill” approach to dentistry does not make for long term success in dental and overall health. Her research and education has inspired her to take a global health approach to dental care using an evidence-based system to address the whole body.
“Many dental and oral health issues relate to lifestyle habits and/or underlying health issues,” she says. “The goal of Oceana Dental’s comprehensive new patient examination is to find the root cause of disease in the oral cavity so it doesn’t progress and cause more harm to the patient’s overall health.”
Commenting on the pace of technological improvement and the advances in research, she says, “it’s a great time to be a dentist!”
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